Civil Society Check-In: Advancing Kosovo-Serbia Cooperation

Dear friends and colleagues,

We are delighted to announce to you an upcoming online conference Civil Society Check-In: Advancing Kosovo-Serbia Cooperation that aims to serve as a checkpoint for organizations working in the field of Kosovo-Serbia relations and cooperation. This conference has a goal to provide a platform for organizations to showcase their work and explore innovative approaches to the challenges in this region. The conference is organized by Heartefact Fund – a multi-disciplinary organization committed to creating spaces for critical dialogue, remembrance, learning, and collaboration. We believe in empowering creative and forward-thinking individuals to diversify, enrich, and make our cultural and public spaces more vibrant and accepting of differences.

Date: Monday, 23 October

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: Zoom platform

Language: English language

Given the current sensitive political climate and recent tensions between Belgrade and Prishtina, there is an urgent need for regional cooperation and the potential for transformative impact. We often hear from donors and stakeholders that civil society projects tend to follow similar patterns and that there is a need to invent new forms of cooperation and collaboration. With this conference, we aim to bring together all stakeholders from various organizations working on topics such as reconciliation, transitional justice, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, youth exchange, education, human rights, security and more. Additionally, we want to create a platform for organizations to not only work together but also to understand who the key players are in the field of cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia. We are keen to explore different approaches, share lessons learned, and collectively address the challenges that civil society faces in this context.

The objectives of this conference:

Facilitate meaningful discussions on lessons learned and challenges faced by NGOs working in this field.
Foster partnerships and collaborations among organizations.
Inspire fresh ideas and approaches to tackle the pressing issues in our region.
Strengthen the civil sector’s capacity and resilience.
Promote a spirit of cooperation and shared purpose within the NGO community.

This conference will provide a platform for organizations to:

Introduce themselves and their work.
Identify potential partners for future projects.
Discuss the challenges they face and learn from others’ experiences.
Share successful approaches and methodologies in their respective fields.

This meeting will be moderated by Heartefact.

To register your organization’s participation in this conference, please fill out the Google Form available at the following link: Google Forms.

Once registered, your organization will receive a Zoom link to access the conference proceedings.

We believe that by coming together and pooling our collective knowledge, expertise, and passion, we can contribute to a brighter future for the Kosovo-Serbia region. Your active participation is crucial in making this event a success.

We eagerly anticipate your involvement in this important conference and look forward to your insights, ideas, and contributions. Together, we can pave the way for a more harmonious and prosperous future.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Warm regards, Heartefact Fund

** This conference is part of the project “Demystification of Prejudices and Myths on Kosovo-Serbia Relations” funded by the United States Embassy in Serbia.

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As part of the final phase of the European project Fabulamundi – New Voices, in which Heartefact and partners from about ten countries have been participating over the past two and a half years, we organized a visit of students from Serbia to the partner festival Short Theatre in Rome. The visit took place from September 5 to 7, during the 20th anniversary edition of this renowned festival.

The project “Culture for Development” announces to the public the names of the projects that received support within the first call!

The grants for cultural and artistic projects are awarded for the development and implementation of socially relevant contemporary art projects that contribute to the enrichment of culture and promote diversity in artistic practices and expressions, address critical social issues, and encourage community development.

Young Artists and Activists from Serbia Visited Festivals in Pristina and Prizren as Part of Heartefact’s Visiting Program

As part of Heartefact’s Kosovo–Serbia Visiting Program, we organized a visit in early August to festivals in Pristina and Prizren for a group of young artists and activists from Serbia. During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to attend three major cultural events in Kosovo – the 24th edition of the DokuFest International Documentary Film Festival in Prizren, the 6th edition of the Sunny Hill music festival in Pristina, and the 5th edition of the Autostrada Biennale, an international contemporary art festival.

OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.